Seven arrested for drugs and weapons after major Police Operation in Basingstoke
Police arrested seven men and seized cash, drugs and weapons as part of a series of warrants targeting the supply of Class A drugs in Basingstoke. The warrants were carried out today (Friday 28 July) at addresses in Pinkerton Road, Oakridge Road, Castle Road, Copland Close and Jefferson Road. A quantity of drugs, suspected to be Class A, was seized, along with weapons including machetes and axes. Officers from Basingstoke’s Safer Neighbourhoods Team were joined by colleagues from Response and Patrol and Hampshire Constabulary and Thames Valley Police’s Joint Operations Unit in carrying out the operation. Those arrested include: • A 21-year-old man from London, arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs • An 18-year-old man from London, arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs • A 22-year-old man from Basingstoke, arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of a Class A drug • A 49-year-old man from Basingstoke, arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of a Class A drug • A 39-year-old man of no fixed abode, arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of a Class A drug, possession of a controlled drug of Class A and burglary • A 20-year-old man from London, arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of heroin • A man, arrested on suspicion of being concerned in offer to supply a Class A drug All seven men arrested are currently in police custody. Sergeant Carl Holmes, of the Basingstoke Safer Neighbourhood Team, said: “Class A drugs such as heroin and crack cocaine can blight the lives of users, their families and the local community. “We are committed to disrupting drug dealers and tackling any associated violence and anti-social behaviour. “The message from today is clear – if you come to Basingstoke to deal drugs, expect to be arrested and prosecuted. “Operations like the one today are only possible with the help of the community. If you have any concerns about drug-related activity where you live, then please call 101 or 999 if a crime is in progress.” Fortress is a campaign to reduce the harm of drug-related violence. One of the aims is to restrict the supply of class A drugs and officers are keen to hear from anyone who is concerned about illegal drugs or drug-related crime in their neighbourhood. The things to look out for are as follows: • A sudden increase in visitors to a house or flat and people only staying for a very short time • Short exchanges between small groups of people at or close to a flat or house • Residents leaving a flat or house on numerous occasions throughout the day and returning a short time later • People loitering in an area and using their mobile phones frequently • New-looking or hire cars parked outside a house or flat that wouldn’t normally be there, and being driven by somebody that you wouldn’t normally associate with driving that style of car. If you have any concerns, call police on 101 or 999 if a crime is in progress. If you don’t want to speak to the police directly, you can call the anonymous Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.
